The 401 Unauthorized status code plays a crucial role in HTTP authentication workflows, requiring careful implementation of security protocols and user experience considerations. The response MUST include a WWW-Authenticate header with appropriate challenges, as specified in RFC 7235. Authentication scheme selection should consider security requirements, user experience, and client compatibility. Token management requires careful consideration of expiration, renewal, and revocation mechanisms. Security implications include protecting against brute force attacks, credential stuffing, and token theft. Implementation should handle various authentication scenarios: expired tokens, invalid credentials, and missing authentication. Error responses should be informative while avoiding information disclosure. The 401 status code represents a critical security boundary in web applications, requiring robust implementation to maintain security while providing a smooth user experience.
